Retribution
Page 16
“So I should maybe give him another chance?”
“That is entirely up to you. Whatever you decide, I’m not saying your relationship will ever be the same as it was prior to his atrocious decision. Just maybe, however, you should not give up on him entirely. Maybe you could even lighten him back up a few shades on the gray scale.”
A crack of a twig snapping traveled down the bluff. Two voices could be heard softly muttering back and forth as they approached from down the path. Todd squinted through the trees and smiled. He pushed up from the sand and rocks and waited for them at the bottom of the path.
Simon grinned ear to ear as he and Sasha stepped from the trail to the rocky beach. “Fancy meeting you two here.”
“How’s Jasper?” Todd asked, the smile fading from his face with every syllable.
“Good!” Simon inhaled deeply before continuing. “Good, man. We actually just came from checking on him. Sounds like he’ll make a full recovery.”
“That’s awesome.”
“Dude,” Simon leaned in to get a closer look, “are your eyes watering up? I’ve only seen that like twice, and I wasn’t even really sure either of those times.”
Todd grinned and wiped the back of his hand across his eyes. “Musta been sand.” He shook his head. “What can I say? It’s been kind of an intense night into morning. Hey, you guys think Ben would want to be buried on Star Marshal Base? I was thinking about it before Lombargnor came down here. You know, pick out a nice spot at the top of the bluff and start a little cemetery for those that made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our planet and solar system.” Todd turned to directly face Lombargnor. “Would you be open to something like that?”
“Actually, I’m very glad the Cains have joined us.” Lombargnor tilted his head and glanced from Todd to Simon to Sasha and then back through them. “I will leave that decision with the new head of star marshals. Sasha Cain.”
Sasha’s face pinched severely. “What are you talking about?”
“I have decided to leave this solar system as soon as you are comfortable with me doing so. In the transition period, I would like to name you as acting head of star marshals. You may determine a system for naming future heads, but someone needs to take the reins for the time being, and I cannot think of anybody more deserving or well suited for the job.”
Todd stared at Lombargnor, slack jawed. “Where are you going? You’re just packing up and abandoning us now?”
“No, no, not at all. We will leave significant numbers here to aid in the reconstruction and recovery. Plenty will stay even after that phase is complete. We will always gladly have a presence here if you are willing to have us. I am simply handing control of star marshals over to you. This is your planet. Your system. Your agency. You are ready to run it. We will always be ready and willing to assist you, but you should have the control.”
Sasha’s eyes opened as wide as a pair of salad plates. “I don’t want to run star marshals. That is an enormous responsibility.”
“Then quickly determine a successor or a system to name one.” Lombargnor placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am simply transitioning power to the most qualified human I can think of. From there it is up to you whether you keep it or share it or transfer it entirely and how.”
“Share it…” She gnawed on a cuticle. “I like that. What if instead of one person leading star marshals, it was a trio? A three-person team for leader.” She started pacing. “That way, one of the three would always be reachable. Big decisions would always be put to a vote with majority ruling and,” she stopped and ran up to Todd and Simon, grabbing each by an arm, “us three! We should be the team of three leading star marshals!”
Simon pulled away and shook his head. “No way. You should for sure,” he said, stepping closer to Sasha and staring into her eyes. “You’re perfect for it, like he said. That three-person team idea is great, too. I like it. Just not with me on the team. That group should be put to a vote or something, and I need some time off actually. Especially after Penny gets here.”
“What about you?” Sasha shook Todd’s arm vigorously. “Would you do it with me?”
“Me?” Todd Jordan looked at her, then at Lombargnor, and finally at Simon. He grinned before looking up at the sky. The grin spread into a smile stretching ear to ear. “I need to be out there. I’m a star marshal. Long as I can remember, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to be.”